Lauren Inspires with Many Miles

On every Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® event, a special award is given to one individual who has contributed above and beyond in terms of fundraising and commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer. At the Komen 3-Day this year in San Diego, Lauren Wagner is being recognized for her amazing contribution to the 3-Day by participating in San Diego for the past eight years. “It’s hard to believe that I have raised almost $73,000 over eight years of walking and fundraising,” mentioned Lauren. “My inspiration to start walking came from my brother, ‘Moto Crew Michael’ who lost his wife Sally to breast cancer,” explained Lauren. “She was only 39 years old.” Michael began crewing in 2003, and Lauren first walked the 60-mile route in 2005. Even though she became involved in the 3-Day because of Sally, she continues to walk for friends and family – many of whom are survivors, but she also walks for some who have passed.

Lauren accepts the Milestone Award from Dr. Sheri on Friday night of the San Diego 3-Day

Lauren’s success in fundraising each year seems easy when she follows her own advice. She starts early, asks everyone, and especially lets them all know why she is walking. “Make it a little fun, too,” she says, “I’ve thrown Pink Bunco parties (aka ‘Bunco for Boobs’) which is a great way to raise a lot of money quickly while having fun with your friends and neighbors. (Oh, and you will be amazed at how many restaurants and local stores will donate gift cards, food, or items to be raffled off or used as Bunco prizes!)” Lauren’s infectious energy continues on to the event itself, even though it is before dawn on Friday morning.

Lauren breezes into camp after the first 20 miles of Day 1 of the San Diego 3-Day

“I keep coming back because I know that I am a part of something bigger!” Lauren’s excitement for the event seems to radiate onto all those around her. “We celebrate breast cancer survivors, we honor those who have lost their battle, and we help raise money and awareness to find a cure.” Lauren has some advice for the first-timers as well: “Once you get to the event, CELEBRATE! Enjoy your time, and don’t worry if you can’t walk all 60 miles. You did the hard part by raising the money. Now, take a deep breath, look around, and talk to all those other amazing walkers and crew, and enjoy the experience!”

A big salute to Lauren this weekend on the San Diego 3-Day!

Lauren celebrates Day 2 of the San Diego 3-Day with teammates and friends at Pit Stop 1

Top Fundraisers at San Diego 3-Day Announced

Congratulations to all of the walkers today who pounded out the first 20 miles of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in San Diego. We were treated to a gorgeous sunrise in Del Mar and a picturesque day overlooking the ocean as walkers, assisted by their dedicated crew, took in the sunshine of southern California. The Camp Show this evening was full of fun and laughter as presenting sponsor Bank of America had a few select walkers strutting their stuff for prizes on stage. As is the custom on Friday nights at the Camp Show, Bank of America and Dr. Sheri presented the top fundraisers for the 2013 Komen San Diego 3-Day.

Top Crew Fundraiser: Aubrey Cushing, $2,310; (Team ‘Walk With Me’)

Aubrey Cushing is recognized with the top crew fundraising award

Top Fundraising Team: Powered by Optimism, $257,247; (Captain Amy Benoit)

Amy Benoit is awarded both the Top Training Walker Leader and as Captain of the top fundraising team

Amy Benoit is awarded both the Top Training Walk Leader and as Captain of the top fundraising team

Top Individual Fundraiser: Stephanie Capaccio, $45,842; (Team ‘Tulips for Tatas’)

Stephanie Capacchio is recognized as the San Diego 3-Day Top Individual Fundraiser

Congratulations to these fabulous fundraisers and the to the dedication of everyone walking this weekend on the San Diego 3-Day! Good luck on Day 2!

Seven Years Later…San Diego

Tiffany K starts the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in San Diego for the first time…after seven years

“When my grandmother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 1989, I made the move from Dallas to Oklahoma to be her primary caregiver,” said Tiffany this morning on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in San Diego.

“I was only fourteen years old.”

“My family told me to call them in Texas if anything serious happened.” Tiffany’s experience helping her grandmother through treatment must have added to her determination in life. (Her grandmother is now a survivor of over 24 years!) Seven years ago, she successfully registered for the Komen 3-Day in Dallas and raised over $5,000, well above the minimum needed to walk the 60 miles. And then a walker’s nightmare occurred. “I had an almost full rupture of my Achilles tendon just ten days before the event,” said Tiffany resting in Pit Stop 1 after the first segment of Friday’s 20-mile course along beautiful Del Mar, California. The recovery from such a tear can be tedious and exhausting, and it put her out of walking a 3-Day® for years.

Team members of ‘Cliff’s Crew’ walk with new teammate Tiffany K on the San Diego 3-Day

In the meantime, Tiffany moved to Playa del Rey, California, and decided that 2013 would be the time to finally walk the 3-Day. “I’m going to make this happen!” she said to herself. She knew, however, that the walk would be easier with team support, and so she logged onto ‘The3Day.org’ website and started to post to the forums to see if she could join up with a team. “Team ‘Cliff’s Crew’ answered the call for me, and I felt good about walking with them after having met them a few times,” mentioned Tiffany, as some of the pink camoflage-clad members of the team approached.

Kellie T from Rossmoor, California, and Jeanne F from Santa Maria were ready to head back on the route. “We have 42 members total on the San Diego 3-Day this year,” they explained, “and we’re in the top five teams for fundraising with over $85,000!”

Say ‘hello’ to Tiffany on her first 3-Day this weekend in San Diego and to her great team ‘Cliff’s Crew’!